Discussion
Did that road twice over the weekend. Once on the way to see family, once on the way back.
'Twas much more 'fun' on the Friday, going up the hill around it as a left hander, principally because there were far less people drooging around at 40mph pointing at sheep and mountains. The two cars I caught just after going 'over the top' made it easy to pass, sticking to the left, and a big "Thank You!" to the Mercedes driver who indicated left to invite me past.
Sunday afternoon, going the other way was no fun at all. After stopping before the top to take a few photos of the car (it's only a 2.0 diesel Mondeo) I got stuck on the way down behind a VW Sharon and an older Focus, both of whom were dawdling along but seemingly determined to prevent a pass by using the full width of the road and 'clipping apexes' at the most pedestrian speeds imaginable. I finally nipped past at the hairpin further down, but by then the damage was done - I'd run out of bends and the fun had been spoiled.
Really impressed with the way my lardy fat diseasel handled itself on the mountain though, and so pleased I binned off the M4 to drive the A4069/A40 and have some fun. First time at the wheel over that road, and I'll be going back for more.
Trip computer gave me a bit of a shock. When I started on the north side, it estimated 87 miles to empty. By the time I eased off on the way into Brynaman it was worryingly estimating 10 miles
to empty. Fortunately some rather more sensible driving, due to a lack of local camera knowledge, had that back up to 57 miles range remaining by the time I arrived at my mum's house.
'Twas much more 'fun' on the Friday, going up the hill around it as a left hander, principally because there were far less people drooging around at 40mph pointing at sheep and mountains. The two cars I caught just after going 'over the top' made it easy to pass, sticking to the left, and a big "Thank You!" to the Mercedes driver who indicated left to invite me past.
Sunday afternoon, going the other way was no fun at all. After stopping before the top to take a few photos of the car (it's only a 2.0 diesel Mondeo) I got stuck on the way down behind a VW Sharon and an older Focus, both of whom were dawdling along but seemingly determined to prevent a pass by using the full width of the road and 'clipping apexes' at the most pedestrian speeds imaginable. I finally nipped past at the hairpin further down, but by then the damage was done - I'd run out of bends and the fun had been spoiled.
Really impressed with the way my lardy fat diseasel handled itself on the mountain though, and so pleased I binned off the M4 to drive the A4069/A40 and have some fun. First time at the wheel over that road, and I'll be going back for more.
Trip computer gave me a bit of a shock. When I started on the north side, it estimated 87 miles to empty. By the time I eased off on the way into Brynaman it was worryingly estimating 10 miles
to empty. Fortunately some rather more sensible driving, due to a lack of local camera knowledge, had that back up to 57 miles range remaining by the time I arrived at my mum's house.
Just thought I would add my latest vid of my favorite road. Skip to 5.44 for the good bits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Lhj3cLZ4k
Best in the wet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Lhj3cLZ4k
Best in the wet.
Goodsteed said:
Just thought I would add my latest vid of my favorite road. Skip to 5.44 for the good bits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Lhj3cLZ4k
Best in the wet.
Lads ....... Save your petrol tokens, buy a group ferry ticket, pack a tent and head for the Spanish Pyrenees. Then drive the N260 ... or a hundred simlar roads like the one below near Vielha.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Lhj3cLZ4k
Best in the wet.
I can't believe I just sat through 10 minutes of footage to watch a Clio seem to understeer around one sharpening haipin.
This is where you should be at: Great weather, fab tarmac, no traffic, cheap great food and cheap petrol ....... Happy days
Edited by Wozy68 on Wednesday 8th January 15:04
Goodsteed said:
Just thought I would add my latest vid of my favorite road. Skip to 5.44 for the good bits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Lhj3cLZ4k
Best in the wet.
Needs more handbrake http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Lhj3cLZ4k
Best in the wet.
Given the difference in the weather, a delicious irony in the choice of the initial soundtrack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zg8PWdVWM0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zg8PWdVWM0
Edited by Red Devil on Friday 15th August 22:09
Red Devil said:
Given the difference in the weather, a delicious irony in the choice of the initial soundtrack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zg8PWdVWM0
Every time I drive the Pyrenees I play the very same tune and think of the Italian Job ..... This very piece of footage that I remember when growing up, was the stimulus that one day I'll drive mountain roads abroad.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zg8PWdVWM0
Edited by Red Devil on Friday 15th August 22:09
It maybe Spain I drive rather than Italy, but a euro hoon should be on every PHers to do list at least once.
The roads in Spain, compared to modern Italy are just as empty as on this clip.
Brilliant. Thanks for posting
Edited by Wozy68 on Saturday 16th August 15:52
Wozy68 said:
Every time I drive the Pyrenees I play the very same tune and think of the Italian Job ..... This very piece of footage that I remember when growing up, was the stimulus that one day I'll drive mountain roads abroad.
It maybe Spain I drive rather than Italy, but a euro hoon should be on every PHers to do list at least once.
The roads in Spain, compared to modern Italy are just as empty as on this clip.
Brilliant. Thanks for posting
Wozy: I am headed the the Pyrenees in 3 weeks: ferry to Bilbao, then drive to Pamplona, then N260 etc over to Arles, France, then Santa Margheurita (Italy) to Florence then back, staying in Nice and then Carcasonne and San Sebastian (Spain) for the ferry home. I am taking my DB7 Vantage Volante (6 litre V12 convertible). I. Can't. Wait.It maybe Spain I drive rather than Italy, but a euro hoon should be on every PHers to do list at least once.
The roads in Spain, compared to modern Italy are just as empty as on this clip.
Brilliant. Thanks for posting
Edited by Wozy68 on Saturday 16th August 15:52
Back in June..
Golf GTI on the A4069 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr
Went back there last month and just further on up the hill nearly had a head on with some little scrote in a silver C1, who decided to cut a completely blind corner. Said so many bad words! I also noticed how much litter there was around the hairpin, especially energy drink cans and bottles
Golf GTI on the A4069 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr
Went back there last month and just further on up the hill nearly had a head on with some little scrote in a silver C1, who decided to cut a completely blind corner. Said so many bad words! I also noticed how much litter there was around the hairpin, especially energy drink cans and bottles
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